[BCM] [PD] [SOP] Incident Response: Mass Food Poisoning

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

Incident Response: Mass Food Poisoning

Introduction

This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) outlines a structured, business continuity–aligned response to mass food poisoning incidents affecting residents, staff, or visitors of MSF-funded residential care programmes.

Its primary aim is to safeguard life and health, ensure continuity of critical care and supervision services, minimise operational disruption, and maintain full compliance with MSF Annex B: Prevailing Business Continuity Plan (BCP) Requirements.

The SOP applies to all personnel, food operations, and residential programmes funded by MSF and is a formal component of the Agency-endorsed BCP.

It establishes clear governance arrangements, including Board oversight, appointment of a certified Business Continuity Management (BCM) Coordinator, documentation requirements, and audit readiness.

The SOP defines the risk context, preparedness measures, activation criteria, and a coordinated incident response framework that prioritises life safety, operational containment, continuity of care and meals, infection control, and effective communication with stakeholders, families, authorities, and MSF.

It also sets out recovery, post-incident review, and continuous improvement processes, ensuring lessons learned are incorporated into BCP updates.

Overall, this SOP strengthens organisational resilience by operationalising BCM principles and demonstrating the Agency’s commitment to resident safety, service continuity, and regulatory compliance during public health–related disruptions.

Purpose

This SOP establishes a structured, coordinated, and business continuity-aligned response to a Mass Food Poisoning Incident affecting residents, staff, or visitors of the Home.

The objectives are to:

• Protect the life, health, and safety of residents and staff
• Maintain continuity of critical care and supervision services
• Minimise operational disruption to MSF-funded programmes
• Ensure compliance with Annexe B: Prevailing Business Continuity Plan (BCP) Requirements for MSF-Funded Programmes

Scope

This SOP applies to:

• All employees, volunteers, contractors, and service providers
• All food-related operations (in-house kitchen or outsourced catering)
• All residential care programmes operated by the Agency under MSF funding

This SOP shall be read in conjunction with:

• The Agency-endorsed Business Continuity Plan (BCP)
• Infection prevention and control procedures
• Incident reporting and crisis communication procedures

Governance & MSF BCP Compliance Alignment

BCP Governance

• This SOP forms part of the Agency-endorsed BCP submitted to MSF.
• The SOP is reviewed at least annually and after any activation.
• Board of Directors (or equivalent approving body) endorsement is required before submission or resubmission to MSF.

BCM Coordinator Responsibilities

In line with Annexe B:

• The Agency shall appoint at least one BCM Coordinator with industry-recognised fundamental BCM certification.
• The BCM Coordinator is responsible for:
  • Ensuring this SOP remains aligned with operational needs
  • Coordinating reviews, exercises, and post-incident updates
  • Submitting Agency-endorsed BCPs and review reports to MSF (Children in Care Service)
• Interim covering officers may be appointed for up to 6 months in the event of staffing changes.

Documentation & Audit Readiness

• All incident logs, review reports, training records, and exercise outcomes shall be retained for MSF audit purposes.
• The Agency shall cooperate fully with MSF checks, validation exercises, and feedback.

Definitions

Risk Context & BCM Rationale

Mass food poisoning is classified as a public health-related operational disruption, consistent with Annexe B Clause 3, which requires BCPs to address incidents, including public health situations.

Key BCM Risks

• Resident morbidity or mortality
• Loss of safe meal provision
• Staff shortages due to illness
• Reputational and regulatory impact
• Programme disruption affecting MSF service continuity

Preparedness Measures (Pre-Incident)

Risk Assessment & Controls

• Approved food suppliers and caterers only
• Food safety audits and hygiene inspections
• Temperature logs and food handling records
• Emergency meal alternatives identified in BCP

Business Impact Analysis (BIA)

Critical functions identified:

• Resident supervision and care
• Clinical observation and medication
• Safe nutrition and hydration
• Incident communication and reporting

Training & Exercises

• Staff training on:
  • Early symptom recognition
  • Escalation and reporting procedures
• Tabletop exercises are conducted at least annually, documented as part of the BCP review.

Incident Activation Criteria

This SOP shall be activated when any one of the following occurs:

• Two or more residents or staff exhibit similar food-related symptoms within the same meal period
• A healthcare professional suspects a foodborne outbreak
• Direction from management, MSF, or public health authorities

Incident Response Procedures

Immediate Response (0–2 Hours)

Life Safety Priority

1. Isolate affected residents in designated care areas
2. Provide hydration, monitoring, and first aid
3. Escalate severe cases to the hospital via emergency services

Operational Containment

4. Immediately stop serving suspected food items

5. Secure and quarantine food samples and delivery records

6. Suspend kitchen operations or catering services if required

Notification

7. Activate Incident Response Team (IRT)

8. Notify:

• Home Director
• Clinical Lead
• BCM Coordinator
• Relevant authorities (as required)

Incident Command Structure

Continuity of Critical Services

In accordance with Annex B Clause 3:

Care Continuity

• Maintain resident supervision and care ratios
• Activate standby staff or redeployment plans

Meal Continuity

• Implement pre-approved emergency food arrangements
• Use external vendors or pre-packed meals if needed

Infection Control

• Enhanced hygiene and PPE measures
• Segregation of affected and unaffected residents

Communication Management

Internal

• Clear instructions to staff
• Situation updates at regular intervals

External

• Inform families/guardians with factual updates
• Provide assurance on safety and continuity
• Notify MSF as required under funding and governance obligations

Recovery & Stand-Down

Service Restoration

• Resume normal food operations only after clearance
• Monitor all residents for delayed symptoms

Post-Incident Review

• Conduct a structured after-action review
• Identify root causes and control gaps
• Document findings and corrective actions

BCP Update

• Update this SOP and Agency BCP where necessary
• Submit the endorsed review report to MSF via the BCM Coordinator

Records & Documentation

The following records must be maintained:

• Incident logs and timelines
• Clinical records
• Food supplier and kitchen records
• Communications logs
• Post-incident review report
• Training and exercise records (per Annex B Section B – Administration)

Compliance with MSF Annex B Requirements

Review & Approval

• Review Frequency: At least annually or after activation
• Endorsed By: Board of Directors / Equivalent Authority
• Submitted To: MSF – Children in Care Service

This SOP operationalises Business Continuity Management principles to ensure the safety of residents, the provision of essential care, and the continuity of MSF-funded programmes during a mass food poisoning incident.

By embedding clear governance, trained BCM coordination, documented response actions, and continuous improvement, the Agency demonstrates compliance with Annex B: Prevailing BCP Requirements for MSF-Funded Programmes and strengthens organisational resilience.